SNOW MONKEYS

Japanese Snow Monkeys are wild monkeys that sit in the hot springs in winter surrounded by snow. Snow Monkeys Japan - Pictures.

Snow Monkeys in Jigokudani Hot Spring. Picture by Yosemite.

The Snow Monkeys are wild Japanese Macaques (Macaca fuscata). The Snow Monkeys descend from the steep cliffs and forest to sit in the warm waters of the onsen (hot springs), and return to the security of the forests in the evenings. The Snow Monkeys go to the valley during the winter, but foraging elsewhere in the Jigokudani Monkey Park during the warmer months.

Snow Monkey Transport

There are two main forms of transport to get close to the Snow Monkeys. You have to walk either 10 minutes or 30 minutes. I only recommend these walks by fit able bodied adults as the narrow forest track is often covered icy and slippery in sections. Heavy snowfalls (snow covers the ground for 4 months a year) in this area and it is at an elevation of 850 meters. The location and track condition keep the crowds away despite being relatively well-known.

Snow Monkey Minibus
This minibus service has special permission to park closer to where the snow monkeys are. This means only a 10 minute walk. It is strongly recommended to book tickets for this bus in advance. See Snow Monkey MiniBus

Public Bus
There is a public bus from Nagano Dentetsu Yudanaka Station to a car park followed by a 30 minute walk.

Article based on Wikipedia article and used under the GNU Free Documentation License)